A single-step fabrication of CoTe2 nanofilm electrode toward efficient overall water splitting

Development of efficient and inexpensive full water splitting electrocatalyst through a facile procedure is required for many renewable energy conversion devices. Herein, a nickel foam supported CoTe₂ nanofilm electrode is successfully introduced via a single-step hydrothermal process. As revealed by density function theory studies, the unique electronic configuration of CoTe₂ endows the material with a high density of state near Fermi level favorable for charge transfer in catalytic reactions. This structural merit along with the high electrochemical active surface area of the novel CoTe₂ nanofilm electrode enable a high activity of the electrode for both hydrogen evolution and oxygen evolution reactions. A full water splitting device with the CoTe₂ nanofilm electrode as both anode and cathode could reach a current density of 10 mA cm⁻² at a low potential of 1.605 V. Furthermore, a good stability of the bifunctional catalyst is also demonstrated.